The first game of the Minnesota Timberwolves' season felt different from past years in every sense of the word. Their new-look offense was dynamic, pouring in 21 3-pointers. They played at a breakneck speed and moved the ball well. Anthony Edwards led the way with 45 points and 10 rebounds. LaMelo Ball and Jonathan Kuminga both fit in seamlessly, but truly nearly everyone played well. This all culminated in a 131-106 win over the Miami Heat.
The energy and urgency also felt vastly different when the Wolves often felt sluggish. Minnesota played with an ideal blend of purpose and speed on offense, while remaining highly engaged on defense and continuously crashing the glass. Simply put, it was truly a playoff-level intensity from the Wolves. Edwards and Ball set the tone as leaders, but it was truly a team effort.
You couldn't ask for a better first game. However, the Timberwolves can't afford to take their foot off the gas as the season goes on.
The Timberwolves need to ensure that their energy from opening night carries over
Even during last year's "moody" season, the Wolves had games like this where they looked amazing. Granted, the style was different, but the Wolves had some really high highs last season. Unfortunately, they had too many games where they played down to their competition and didn't play with purpose.
Minnesota can't afford for this game to be an outlier energy-wise. This was the first game with a new roster, so it's not impossible that this gave them an extra energy boost that won't carry over.
Sure, going full throttle for all 82 games will be tough, but the Wolves must bring consistent energy each night to reach their ceiling.
Championships are won in the postseason, but championship habits are built in the regular season. The Wolves are attempting to topple two juggernauts: the San Antonio Spurs and Oklahoma City Thunder, which heightens the need for consistent energy. To challenge these teams, giving it 100 percent and remaining engaged every night is vital.
Partly due to getting caught up in the regular-season malaise, the Wolves haven't built these necessary habits in the past two years. That must change this year. And while Wednesday's game is a fantastic start, that doesn't guarantee this trend will continue throughout a grueling season.
The Wolves have long shown they get up for big matchups, but can they keep up this intensity during a typical regular-season game? Plus, what happens when the going gets tough? The Wolves made nearly every 3-pointer on Wednesday. If they have a cold shooting night, they have to pressure the rim, stay engaged on defense, and crash the glass.
Ball's infectious joy and the Wolves' seemingly improved chemistry could be enough to stop these old habits from re-emerging.
Still, one stellar game and a new-look roster aren't enough to definitively say the Timberwolves' energy problems are behind them. Without a doubt, Minnesota needs to build on this game and continue to play with a heightened level of intensity.
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